Very disappointed in treatment by fellow co-workers

Specialties Geriatric

Published

Specializes in Geriatrics.

I was placed on a wing last night that I had never worked before. 45 residents. I told my boss I wasn't comfortable working without at least one shift of orientation. I don't even know where half the supplies are kept for this wing, let alone important papers etc. They weren't happy with me, but gave me 2 nurses to orient me. Each nurse split the shift, so I had 4 hours with each of them. The first one orienting me who I usually get along with just great, yelled at me about 4 times. She didn't tell me that 4 of the 5 meds at midnight were to be crushed; I had a question about a narc card with a dose that didn't match the MAR and she told me to just set up my meds by the narc book (uh, NO!), then she pretty much treated me like dirt the 4 hours we worked together.

The second nurse to come in for the next 4 hours yelled at me about the evening shift nurse forgetting to sign out a narc so count was off. I didn't even do the count, the nurse "orienting" me counted with the evening shift nurse, but the day nurse blamed the off count on me. Then without thinking, I accidentally put a capped syringe in the sharps container and the day nurse lectured me on that. The first orienting nurse told me I had to pass the 0600 meds and I did and the day shift CMT yelled at me and stomped around and threw stuff around on her cart even though I apologized. I think I would've been better off just winging it on my own. Why oh why can't we just all be team players and go on without all the drama???

Blessings, Michelle

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Specializes in Trauma/Critical Care.

Hi Michelle,

I can not think of any situation where it would be ok to "yell" at anybody, much less a co-worker. I think you should grow a back bone and state in an assertive manner that under no circunstances, you will tolerate being yell at. Enlist the help of your charge nurse, if that does not help, involve your unit manager. It sound like you will be working in an unit where bullying other nurses is the norm, like in any bullying situation, they continue their behavior because there is not consecuences.

Stand up for yourself.

Good Luck.

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Why oh why can't we just all be team players and go on without all the drama???

Blessings, Michelle

Because that would make life easier:o

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Specializes in PICU, NICU, L&D, Public Health, Hospice.

wow...what would happen if we just acted like the professionals that we are supposed to be?

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There are a lot of hissy fits where I am. I am getting better at ignoring them.

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Oy! This kind of crappola drives me NUTS! You do have to confront people like that and tell them that you will NOT tolerate that kind of behavior from anyone. Usually if you stand up to the bullies they back off.

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In my opinion yelling at a nurse (mental abuse) puts patients at risk. It could have been so much better to welcome the help not belittle it. So sorry that happened to you. I agree with tencat, it may be hard to do but I think that is probably the only way to get them to stop.

:twocents:

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It is a very common occurance in my state as well. It's unbelievable, isn't it? I worked is facility that was so horrible I started to carry a little digital recorder and taped report and certain situations and interactions they warranted. I told them it was so I didn't forget anything they told me. That shut them up real fast. However, it's discraceful to have to resort to such a thing just to avoid the blame game and all the bs that goes along with it.

good luck

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

When co-workers are rude/disrespectful to me (a.k.a. "lateral violence"), I ask point blank "Why are you being rude?"

Or better yet... Stare at them and say nothing. That has proven to be effective for me many times :lol2:

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Specializes in Cardiac ICU.

yelling is unacceptable. I give them the "are you done yelling?" stare. Then most times they start to tone the voice down.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, adult med/surg, peds BMT.

In that particular situation I might have just gone it alone especially if my biggest obstacle was that I didn't know where half the supplies were. Are the residents the same? If they were I wouldn't have demanded an orientation day. In the case that dethung Luke your experienced happened to me, I would do my best and close my eyes and be reassured by the fact that it's only 8 hours vibe floated as a per diem nurse to units as diverse as mom/baby, burn unit, and NICU when my homeunit was PICU. In particular the mom/baby nurses were crazy ******* with all sorts of gripes. They took it out on me or those around them all day long. You come to a point in your career where you realize it's not all about you. These women are ******* cuz they are old, worn down, downtrodden, often working with floats under managers they feel are unsupportive. Should they take it out on you. No. Is it your job to change the world. No. You set up your personal boundaries. I always sound contrite if I do something wrong. I smile and I'm attentive and I try to warm the hearts of these women and undoubtedly they lay down all their frustrations. I wish you the best of luck and I'm glad you have thus forum to vent.

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If you really want to pee someone off simply request, "Please lower your voice." That was met with slamming the med cart shut, yelling, "OK, that's it! I'm going home!" them stomping off down to the break room for 20 minutes.

:D

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